The World (Tarot card)

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The World (XXI) is a trump card in the tarot deck. Tarot trumps are often called "Major Arcana" by tarot card readers. It is usually the final card of the "Major Arcana" or tarot trump sequence. In the tarot family of card games, this card is usually worth five points.

Contents 1 Description 2 Interpretation 3 Trivia 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Description

A. E. Waite was a key figure in the developement of modern Tarot interpretaions.</ref> Wood, 1998 However not all interpretations follow his theology. Please remember that all Tarot decks used for divination are interpreted up to personal experience and standards.

Some frequent keywords used by tarot readers are:

• Fulfillment ----- Completeness ----- Integration ----- Personal realization

• Involvement ----- Peace of mind ----- Prosperity ----- Accomplishment

• Satisfaction ----- Contentment ----- Success ----- Good feelings

• Finding vocation ----- Happiness ----- Wholeness ----- Harmony

A naked woman or hermaphrodite hovers or dances above the Earth surrounded by a green wreath, being watched by various creatures. In older decks, these are usually a human face or head, a lion, an ox, and an eagle, the symbols of the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. This is a reference to the all-emcompassing knowledge of the Bible, the Word of God. Later decks avoid such blatant Christian symbolism, or ignore it altogether, choosing to explain these observers as representatives of the natural world, or the kingdom of beasts. In some decks the wreath is a basilisk (crowned snake) biting its own tail - this basilisk is also sometimes called an Ouroborous.

In some decks, this card is also called 'The Universe'.

[edit] Interpretation

A major element of happiness is wholeness - the sense that everything is working together in harmony. Not in a static way, but with dynamic balance. Involvement is also important. To be happy, we must feel connected - engaged with what is around us. There is also accomplishment - knowing that we have goals and are moving toward them successfully. When all these elements come together, we feel fulfilled and blessed.

The World represents these moments and all that goes into them. In readings, it is a very positive sign that you are in a position to realize your heart's desire. What that is for you depends on the situation, but it will always feel great. Remember, though, that Card 21 is a symbol of active contribution and service. To hold the World in our hands, we must give of ourselves to it. That is the source of true happiness.[1]

The World represents an ending to a cycle of life, a pause in life before the next big cycle beginning with the fool. The figure is at once male and female, above and below, suspended between the heavens and the earth. It is completeness.

The woman is surrounded by the wreath representing water, hawk-air, lion-fire, ox-earth and male figure as a spirit. The five elements. The four creatures/beings in the corners of the card are also referenced in the Book of Revelations, 4:7 - "And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle."

[edit] Trivia

• A boss character from The House of the Dead 4 is named after this Tarot card.
• In the manga Jojo's Bizarre Adventure The World is the name of the stand (a kind of psychic power) controlled by Dio Brando

• Due the fact that X/1999 manga made by CLAMP is not complete, there is no world card in the Tarot, but fan rumors say that maybe Kotori Monou is The World since: there are no more important characters without card, the description of this card seems to suit her, this is the last card of the deck and she is one of the two most important persons to Kamui Shirou, the main character (it was said by Kamui early in the series that the world for him consisted of the people he loved, meaning the sibilings Kotori and Fuuma Monou)

• Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play Tarot card games such as French Tarot and Austrian Königrufen. In English-speaking and Spanish- speaking countries, where the games are largely unknown, Tarot cards came to be utilized primarily for divinatory purposes.

[edit] References

[1] - The World from Learning the Tarot: A Tarot Book for Beginners - Joan Bunning

• A. E. Waite's 1910 Pictorial Key to the Tarot
• Juliette Wood, Folklore 109 (1998):15-24, The Celtic Tarot and the Secret Tradition: A Study in Modern Legend Making (1998)

[edit] External links

• New Catholic Dictionary: symbols of the evangelists

Major Arcana
0 The Fool	I The Magician	II The High Priestess	III The Empress	IV The Emperor	V The Pope	VI The Lovers	VII The Chariot	VIII Justice	IX The Hermit	X Wheel of Fortune
XI Strength	XII The Hanged Man	XIII Death	XIV Temperance	XV The Devil	XVI The Tower	XVII The Star	XVIII The Moon	XIX The Sun	XX Judgement	XXI The World
Tarot • Minor Arcana